Bill 107 means more transit delays, say rider groups

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Bill 107 means more transit delays, say rider groups

May 29, 2019 (Toronto, ON) – Bill 107 could be the final nail in the coffin for the Waterfront LRT and Eglinton East LRT to Malvern, transit advocates say. Provincial transit legislation passed today gives the province sweeping powers over transit planning and the ability to take over TTC or City of Toronto assets without compensation. 

“We can’t afford more delays to the Relief Line and new transit,” said TTCriders spokesperson Shelagh Pizey-Allen. “Starting new transit plans from scratch and cutting $1.1 billion to the TTC over the next 10 years means more delays and breakdowns.” 

“Premier Ford has broken his promise to build the Eglinton East LRT, but we’ll keep fighting for rapid public transit to Eastern Scarborough and Malvern,” said Scarborough Transit Action spokesperson Brenda Thompson. “We need better service now and that means reversing the $1.1 billion TTC funding cuts.” Scarborough residents marched from Malvern Town Centre along the route of Eglinton East LRT on May 25th to protest Bill 107. 

Background info on Bill 107 and Provincial rapid transit plans:

  • Section 47 of Bill 107 allows the province to transfer assets from the TTC or City of Toronto, “with or without compensation.” 
  • Section 47 (9) (b) of Bill 107 is a clause that could allow Cabinet to exempt uploaded transit from existing statutes, such as the Planning Act or Labour Relations Act.
  • The province can take over assets “including intellectual property, contractual rights, interests, approvals, registrations and entitlements, originals or copies of reports, documents and data, and any other real or personal property.
  • Premier Ford promised to build Eglinton East LRT, but the line is not included in provincial transit plans. 
  • Toronto’s City Manager submitted 61 questions to the Province about its transit plans on April 16 2019, which have not yet been answered publicly.  

 

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CONTACT: Robyn Vilde, [email protected],  

 

Bill 107: 

https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-42/session-1/bill-107

 

Photos of Eglinton East LRT march: 

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1PBWCAz2BxmFCM7fQH7_PF4DOTyRc1dZ4?usp=sharing




Contact:
Jenna Scott

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